Taste: Okazuri serves up Japanese cuisine

Stepping into Okazuri is like stepping into another — perhaps bigger — city.

The small Japanese restaurant has a modern feel with an elegant background. Okazuri, which has two locations in El Paso and one in Las Cruces, is a floating sushi bar.

The menu is an explosion of Japanese words; fortunately, there are English translations and descriptions. I took a few minutes to read everything. I decided on the Okazuri calamari ($5.50) for an appetizer because $5 is a great price for calamari. The breaded and fried squid tubes and tentacles were seasoned with a light chile powder that added great flavors when I dipped them in the accompanying spicy orange Okazuri sauce, which had flavors similar to a hot wing sauce.

The service was efficient. The appetizer came out the same time as our entrees and our table was chaotic. I ordered the combo #2 ($17.50) which includes four items.

Item No. 1: octopus sunomono. It's a cold and fresh salad of sliced cucumber and octopus on top of a tangled bed of harusame (thin cellophane noodles.) I would say this was my favorite dish. At first I didn't like it — which is how all my favorite dishes start out. I didn't see the appeal in cold noodles and watery salad, but once I took bite of a fork full with of all three ingredients and added a little bit of soy sauce it was delicious. The sesame seeds sprinkled on top added a nice hint of nuttiness.

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For those who have never had octopus, it's a bit chewy with a very light flavor but you can definitely tell you're eating something from the sea.

Item No. 2: yakitori shrimp. Two shrimp and bell pepper kebabs were saturated in a very good, sweet and sticky sauce. The shrimp was overcooked and tough, but the flavors were there.

Item No. 3: Philadelphia roll. This simple sushi roll of salmon and cream cheese hits the spot after an explosion of flavors. With a tiny smear of wasabi paste and a drop of soy sauce, the fresh-tasting roll was delectable and refreshing. The roll by itself is $8.75.

Item No. 4: yakimeshi (stir-fried rice). I'm a rice lover, so of course I thought this dish was splendid. The slightly sticky rice was wholesome and not too greasy or busy with other flavors and spices. With all the dishes on our table it offered a bit of familiarity and was a good partner with the shrimp; however, the rice had dry pieces of chicken in it. The pieces were flavorless and didn't add anything to the rice.

My boyfriend had the chicken teppanyaki ($9.25), which is a perfect dish for friends or partners who may not be as adventurous. The dish is a chunky stir-fry in Okuzari's "Oriental sauce," which is sweet and salty, similar to teriyaki sauce. It's very savory and instantly delicious, as I find most Asian stir-fries are. The crunchy vegetables and perfectly cooked chicken bursted with juicy flavors. Pair it with white sticky rice served on the side and it allows for a balanced combination.

We were very full by the end of the meal and enjoyed our time at Okazuri. The combination plate (enough for two people), allows patrons to try a variety of new dishes; while other plates offer more traditional options.

More than half of the menu at Okazuri is sushi, which I don't doubt are delicious; however, many are made with cream cheese and some people may not find that appealing. Other Japanese dishes served include soups, salads, fried items and stir-fries.

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